Switzerland should do away with “restrictive” animal testing. On Monday, five organisations submitted a petition in Bern with over 40,000 signatures in favour of "pain-free animal" scientific research. According to a press release, Switzerland should become a model for innovative, effective, and pain-free scientific research. The animal protection organisations,...

Two petitions signed by around 45,000 people are calling on the Federal Council and parliament to secure funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). The non-governmental organisation Amnesty International Switzerland submitted the petitions in Bern on Monday with a campaign entitled "Humanitarian Switzerland,...

At the end of January 2024, 6,881 men and women were behind bars in Switzerland. This is 7% more than a year ago. The occupancy rate has risen to its highest level in ten years. The number of prisoners is comparable to that before the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Some 64% of prisoners were serving sentences or other disciplinary measures, as reported...

The number of cases of child abuse recorded in Swiss paediatric clinics rose to 2,097 in 2023, an all-time high. This significant increase (+13% from 2022) is mainly due to improved recording. Cases of psychological abuse resulting from a child witnessing domestic violence are now reported in detail, the child protection group Swiss Paediatrics reported...

According to the Swiss Trade Union Federation (SGB), income policy in Switzerland is heading in the wrong direction. While top salaries continue to rise, low and middle salaries are stagnating in real terms, according to a report published on Monday. After paying taxes and rent, people on middle and low incomes have less to live on today than in 2016,...

The storm that hit La Chaux-de-Fonds in canton Neuchâtel on July 24, 2023 caused more damage to buildings than previously thought. The insurance company for cantonal buildings estimates the damage at CHF117.15 million ($128.5 million). The original estimate was between CHF70 and 90 million. A total of 2,989 claims were reported, according to the insurance...